I had the pleasure of spending the day this week on the all new 2019 W800 Cafe from Kawasaki. This modern classic motorcycle has been upgraded and now has more power and a more refined ride, without losing any of its old world character.
This Kawasaki W800 Cafe was kindly lent to me by Penrith Motorcycle Centre.
If you’d like to book in for a test ride of the W800 call Penrith Motorcycle centre, and follow them on Facebook to stay upto date with latest specials and events.
Kawasaki W800 Specs Model W800 CAFE EJ8000CKF Engine Type Air-cooled, 4-stroke Vertical Twin Displacement 773 cm³ Bore x Stroke 77.0 x 83.0 mm Compression Ratio 8.4:1 Valve System SOHC 8 valve, Bevel Drive Fuel System DFI 2 X 34 mm with Sub Throttles Ignition TCBI with Digital Advance Starting Electric Transmission 5-speed with Positive Neutral Finder, A&S Clutch Suspension – front 41 mm telescopic fork Suspension – rear Twin rear shock with 5-way adjustable spring preload Wheel travel – f/r 130/107 mm Ground Clearance 130 mm Brakes – front 320 mm diameter single disc with twin piston caliper, ABS Brakes – rear 270 mm diameter single disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS Wheel Size Front / Rear 2.50 – 18.0 / 3.00 – 18.0 Tyre Size Front / Rear 100/90-18M/C 57H / 130/80-18M/C 66H L x W x H 2,135 mm x 825 mm x 1,135 mm Wheelbase 1,465 mm Seat height 790 mm Fuel capacity 15 litres Curb Mass 223 kg Max Power 35kW @ 6,000 rpm Max Torque 62.9 N.m @ 4,800 rpm Colour/s Metallic Magnesium Gray with Galaxy Silver Warranty 24 Months Unlimited Kilometres
This is a great little Learner Legal bike, but with enough punch to please even the seasoned riders around.
The Ninja 400 all-new 399 cm³ engine delivers a balance of performance and controllability. The new engine offers increased performance at all rpm compared to its predecessor, with good power feeling. Smooth, predictable response contributes to an easy-to-control engine character. Thanks to its efficient design, the compact, lightweight engine has a size on par with 250cc engines.
Relaxed rider triangle accommodates a wide range of rider sizes and riding situations. Compared to some other models (whose somewhat extreme riding position compromises comfort), the elevated handle position and slightly foot forward footpeg position put the rider in a position to control the bike while also offering rider comfort.
In addition to contributing to the Ninja 400’s sharper looks, slim dual LED headlamps (each featuring low and high beams, as well as a LED position lamp) are highly visible and offer significantly increased brightness. Chin spoilers at the bottom of the front cowl were inspired by the Ninja H2 and Ninja ZX-10R.
More compact Assist & Slipper Clutch (ø139 mm >> ø125 mm) with less rigid operating plates offers a 20% lighter lever pull. Complementing the extremely light feel at the lever, the new clutch has a wider engagement range, facilitating control.
A more rigid 41 mm telescopic fork (previously ø37 mm) delivers better suspension action. The front wheel feels really planted, direction changes are made easily (even when the bike is fairly upright – handy when navigating traffic jams), and overall the suspension offers the plushness of a larger model.
The Ninja 400 is equipped with the same instrument cluster as the Ninja 650, contributing to the high-grade feel of the tidy cockpit. The sophisticated instrument design features a large analogue tachometer flanked by warning lamps on one side, and a gear position indicator and multi-function LCD screen on the other.
The front seat can be easily removed by pulling a cable located under the rear seat, greatly facilitating access to the battery. Under-seat storage space has two levels for a more efficient use of the space. A handy Tool Kit is located in the lower level of storage.
Model
NINJA 400 (EX400GJF)
Engine Type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, Parallel Twin
Displacement
399 cm³
Bore x Stroke
70.0 x 51.8 mm
Compression Ratio
11.5:1
Valve System
DOHC 8 valves
Fuel System
Fuel Injection 32 mm x 2
Ignition
Digital Advance
Starting
Electric
Transmission
6-speed with Positive Neutral finder
Suspension – front
41 mm telescopic fork
Suspension – rear
Bottom-Link Uni-Trak, gas-charged shock with adjustable preload
Wheel travel – f/r
120/130 mm
Ground Clearance
140 mm
Brakes – front
Single semi-floating 310 mm petal disc, Single Balanced Actuation Dual Piston Caliper with ABS
Brakes – rear
Single 220 mm petal disc with twin piston caliper with ABS
Wheel Size Front Rear
3.00-17.0 4.00-17.0
Tyre Size- Front Rear
110/70R17 54H 150/60R17 66H
L x W x H
1,990 x 710 x 1,125 mm
Wheelbase
1,370 mm
Seat height
785 mm
Fuel capacity
14.0 litres
Curb Mass
168 kg
Max Power
33.4 kW @ 10,000 rpm
Max Torque
38.0 N-m @ 8,000 rpm
Colour/s
Metallic Spark Black
Warranty
24 Months Unlimited Kilometres
Service Intervals
1,000 and 6,000 then every additional 6,000 kilometres major service every 12,000 kilometres
This week I was invited to review the ALL NEW 2019 Triumph Speed Twin from Triumph Sydney (Peter Stevens Motorcycles).
I Picked up the Speed Twin from Triumph Sydney in Tempe, and I was able to spend some time on urban and suburban streets in the Inner West of Sydney, before taking the Triumph Speed Twin on some higher speed limited roads to get a better feel.
All in all I found the Speed Twin to be exceptional in almost every way. It handled the slow speed, tight maneuvering streets easily, and at higher speeds it truly shone as a capable longer distance bike too.
The 1200cc engine in the Speed Twin really performed seamlessly, and with the added Vance & Hines pipes it purred beautifully.
If you’d like to test ride these amazing 2019 Triumph Speed Twins, head on down to your local dealer, but if you’re in Sydney be sure to call Triumph Sydney and book in a test ride now.
The Black Dog Ride is held simultaneously around the country in March each year. It’s primary goal is to raise awareness to Depression and Suicide Prevention.
I attended the Black Dog Ride 2019 here in Penrith in Sydney’s West, to offer my support to a very worthy cause.
Arriving in Penrith at 0630 on a Sunday morning, the rain was absolutely torrential, however that didn’t stop over 300 riders participating in the day, for Black Dog. After a good social catch up the start over a hot coffee, then a riders briefing, then off they rode, into the rain.
Approximately 2 hours of riding led them back to the Wallacia Hotel for Lunch, an Auction to raise Funds, and then some partying to a local band.
I wanted to compare the Kawasaki Z900RS with the Z900RS Cafe. So this week I wanted to go and check out the Black Dog Ride course so I can plan my video shoot for the 17th March, and when James from Penrith Motorcycle centre offered to come with me and for us to take the 2 different Z900RS models available, I jumped at the chance.
So I jumped on the Z900RS with the Jaffa paint scheme and off we went. The Black Dog Ride course is great, but the Z900RS was just exceptional. I really love this bike and it has a lot to offer. Good retro styling with all the modern day safety, performance and convenience.
After an hour or so we pulled over, and James handed me the keys to his personal Z900RS Cafe and off we went again. There is no mechanical differences between the two bikes, mainly just body positioning differences due to the sportier handlebars, peg positions a little further back and the front fairing. For me though, the Jaffa colored Z900RS wins my head and my heart.
Engine Type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four Displacement 948 cm³ Bore x Stroke 73.4 x 56.0 mm
Compression Ratio 10.8:1 Valve System DOHC 16 valves
Fuel System Fuel Injection, 36 mm x 4 with sub throttles valves Ignition Digital Starting Electric
Transmission 6-speed with Positive Neutral finder and Assist & Slipper Clutch
Frame Trellis high tensile steel Suspension – front 41 mm cartridge fork with compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Suspension – rear Horizontal Back-link with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Wheel travel – front 120 mm Wheel travel – rear 140 mm
Brakes – front Dual 300 mm semi-floating petal discs.
Dual radial-mount monobloc opposed 4-piston calipers, ABS Brakes – rear Single 250 mm petal disc with single piston caliper, ABS Tyre Size- front 120/70-ZR17 (58W) Tyre Size- rear 180/55-ZR17 (73W) L x W x H 2,100 x 865 x 1,050 mm
Wheelbase 1,470 mm
Ground Clearance 130 mm Seat height 835 mm
Fuel capacity 17 litres Curb Mass 214 kg (includes full fuel tank and all fluids at optimum levels)
Max Power 82.0 kW @ 8,500 rpm
Max Torque 98.5 N.m @ 6,500 rpm
Colour/s Candytone Brown with Candytone Orange or Metallic Matte Covert Green and Flat Ebony type 2
Warranty 24 Months Unlimited Kilometres
Throttle Downunder is a group of like-minded car enthusiasts sharing their love for all things with a throttle…..Boats, Cars and Bikes.
Picking up the 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE from Penrith Motorcycle Centre to head up into the Blue Mountains to give it a really good run. All in all the Versys 1000 SE is an amazing Tourer and very comfortable.
Kawasaki have really nailed this model, creating enough sportyness and comfort to blend into the ultimate touring bike.
Boasting even greater comfort and versatility, Kawasaki proudly presents a new model designed to offer maximum riding enjoyment across a wide variety of street riding situations like the 2015-2018 Versys 1000 before them. Whether riding solo or two up, around the corner or around the globe, this fun-to-ride road sports bike’s combination of a highly responsive In-Line Four engine tuned for flexibility, and a nimble chassis fitted with dynamic suspension will have riders grinning from ear to ear. Its relaxed, upright riding position offers a high level of machine control, and is complemented by a highly comfortable seat and good wind protection, making it easy to spend a long time in the saddle. Change your view and ride the Kawasaki VERSYS 1000 SE; comfort and performance. The new model benefits from numerous upgrades that add to both riding exhilaration and touring potential. The engine now boasts Electronic Throttle Valves, which enable the addition of Electronic Cruise Control. And the addition of advanced Kawasaki IMU equipped rider support systems contributes to riding enjoyment as well as rider confidence Read full Specs here, https://kawasaki.com.au/shop/motorcyc…
Throttle Downunder is a group of like-minded car enthusiasts sharing their love for all things with a throttle…..Boats, Cars and Bikes.
The Royal Enfield Twins have finally landed in Australia and today I got to spend the afternoon on both Continental GT 650 Cafe Racer and the Interceptor 650 from Royal Enfield. James from Penrith Motorcycle center popped these 2 bikes in the van and drove them to the Northern Beaches for me to test.
Final drive: Chain CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR Frame: Tubular steel double cradle Front suspension: 41mm fork, non-adjustable Rear suspension: Twin shocks, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Single 320mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brake: Single 240mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres: Pirelli Phantom Sport – 100/90-18 front, 130/70-18 rear
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES Claimed dry weight: 202kg
Seat height: 804mm
Wheelbase: 1400mm Length: 2122mm
Fuel capacity: 13.7 litres
Throttle Downunder is a group of like-minded car enthusiasts sharing their love for all things with a throttle…..Boats, Cars and Bikes. Product Reviews, want to send me stuff?? Rob Charlwood